Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has requested that a drone detection system be sent to New York and New Jersey after a series of mysterious drones disrupted the skies in recent weeks, even prompting a temporary shutdown at an airport over the weekend.
Schumer made the request to the Department of Homeland Security on Sunday, two days after New York Stewart International Airport closed due to multiple drone sightings in its vicinity. He pushed for the Robin Radar Systems for its “360-degree technology,” which has a better chance of detecting the drones compared to linear systems.
The unidentified drones have been spotted across the Northeast, though a significant amount have been reported above New Jersey.
Schumer told reporters that it’s “remarkable” that despite the volume of sightings, “we have more questions than answers.”
“Some of the drones are small, some of the drones flight patterns are erratic,” Schumer said. “Multiple drones flying together can confuse a traditional radar system, and that’s why, again, this new technology can really get us the answers that we need.”
Friday’s airport shutdown prompted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to call for federal assistance, but on Sunday she said the drone detection system isn’t enough.
“I am grateful for the support, but we need more,” Hochul wrote. “Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones.”